Here's A Funny Thing

The play is structured as a recreation of a Max Miller performance. The action of the production is split between two locations: a "seedy 1950s rehearsal room" and the stage of the London Palladium. This dual setting allowed the play to explore Miller’s private life alongside his stage act. Bardon, dressed in Miller's signature gaudy floral suits and trilby, performs stand-up routines while simultaneously breaking the "fourth wall" to reveal the man behind the persona. The title is derived from one of Miller's most famous catchphrases. == Production history ==

Bardon had seen Miller on stage as a child, and later became fascinated with the idea of performing as Miller. He approached journalist R.W. Shakespeare to help create a play based on Miller's life Bardon researched the role extensively and sought input from other legendary comedians, including Tommy Cooper and Ken Dodd, who shared their favourite Max Miller gags with him to help refine the performance. before moving to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the Lyric Hammersmith Its success led to a West End run at the Fortune Theatre in London, opening in January 1982. It was a passion project for Bardon, who was quoted as saying: "Miller was an ordinary bloke. After months doing his act I know why he did it. The feeling of elation after making people laugh is tremendous. Often after a show, I couldn't sleep." == Reception ==

The play was described as a "skilful actor’s vision" that hinted at Miller's charisma and "wit bordering on the obscene". Allan Massie, theatre critic for The Scotsman, observed that "John Bardon is Miller to the life - the timing, the roguishness, the delivery of the double entendres, absolutely perfect...It is the funniest show I have seen in years. I can't remember when I last laughed with such a sense of profound release". Ned Chaillet, writing in The Times, noted that "Mr. Bardon's presentation is so happily rude and Mr. Shakespeare's selection of material is so spontaneously right that it makes for a lively trip back in comic time". == Television adaptation ==

A televised version of the play was Channel 4's very first commissioned piece of entertainment == References ==